Windshield wiper, washer, and cleaner



H. KLATT.

WINDSHIELD WIPER, WASHER, AND CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1920.

, Patented Mar. 1, 1921 2 SHEETSSHEET lgnaw mica: vji x/11011 mail uni'rso STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN KLATT, F PUEBLO, FIOLORADO.

WINDSHIELD WIPER, WASHER, AND CLEANER 1.36981 '1 Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar, 1 1921 Application filed-March 9, 1920. Serial No. 364,475,.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken on line .5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through one of the main supporting 60 brackets.

- To on whom itmoy 00mm.-

Be it known that I, HERMAN KLA'rr, a citizen of the United States, residin at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and tate 5 of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Windshield Wipers, Washers, and Cleaners, of which the following is a saecification. 1

his invention 'rblates to a device for 10 wiping, washing and cleansing automobile Windshields, audits primary object is to provide a simple, economical and eificient device of this character which may be employed to simultaneously act upon both sides of the windshield glass for the purpose of removing dust, cloudy moisture or other foreign particles obscuring vision, or for wash- I ing the windshield for general cleansing purposes.

'20 Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be readily and conveniently applied for use whenever desired and as readily removed after use,'and which embodies jsimple and efiicient locking means for holding it in applied position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character and for the pur osedescribed which is adapted to be easi y and conveniently operated, which is adjustable to regulate the pressure of the cleaning or rubbing element, and which is also adjustable to operate over the entirearea of the windshield so that both sides of the glass of both sections of the windshield mag be rapidly and efiiciently cleansed.

Y i till another object of the invention is to provide a cleaner which may be mounted for permanent use without obscuring the vision 40.01 the driver, and which may be used to clean but a single side of the windshield, if

desired.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompa'nying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation looking toward one side of the windshield and show in the cleaner applied thereto. ig. 2 is an enlarged and elevation.

ig. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view f-jon line 3-3 of-Fig. 1. b5 Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken. -'substant ially on. line 4-4 1.

Fig. is a view of the cleaning element supporting carriage and one of the feed dogs carried thereby.

Fig. 8 IS a detail vview illustrating the. o5

means for fastening the cleaner fabric in position.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the windshield supporting frame, which may be of the usual construction and mounted in the ordinary manner u on an automobile, said frame including tlie uprights 2 upon which are pivotally mounted the windshield sections 3 and 4.

In carrying my invention into practice I provide a windshield cleaner comprising counterpart attaching or clamping brackets 5, adapted for clamping engagement with the uprights 2 and adjacent side pieces of the windshield frame at the oppositc sides thereof. Each of these brackets 5 comprises a plate arranged in parallel relation to the body of the vehicle so as to extend on the outer side of the upright 2, and having an angularly bent arm 6 arranged to extend in rear of said upright. The bracket 5 carries an inwardly extending fixed clamping late or jaw 7 adapted to bridge across the ront face of-the upright 2 and adjacent side piece of one of the windshield sections, and an adjustable clamping plate or jaw 8 arranged to extend on the opposite or rear facesof said upright and side pieces of the windshield frame. The adjustable jaw or clamping plate 8 is provided with a threaded guide piece or extension 9 movable in a guide slot 10 in the bracket 5 and held in 1 guided connection therewith by a nut '11. I

angularl "bent arm 6 of the bracket 5 an extends oosely through and isjournaled in an opening 15' in the plato'fl, whereby the follower 12 and clampmgplate or'jaw 8 are adapted to be adjusted forwardly onmar- 11o wardly in unison. The screw 14 termmatee at its forward-end in an angular portion 16 screw 14 is mounted in a threaded opening in tbs free end 19 of a sliding locking pin 20,

which fits within an an lar socket or ope n ing in aJocking disk 1 which disk is dis posed between the jaw 8 and follower 12,

the construction being such that when the screw 14 is turned in onedire'ction or the other to advance or retract the jaw the look ing plate or disk 17 will be turned or rotated therewith. The disk 17 is provided with an annular series of locking openings or recesses ,18 adapted for engagement with the whereby the screw 14 is adapted to be locked in its adjusted positions to hold the jaw 8 adjusted and the jaws 7 and 8 in r1g1d clamping engagement with the upright 2 and windshield section so as to obviate dis-- placement of the bracket 5 when the cleaner is applied for use and also to hold the windshield section against pivotal movement dur-- ing the cleaning operation. A spring 21,is provided to move the pin 20 forward to looking position, said spring being disposed between the arm 6 and a nut 22 adjustableon thefpin, whereby the tension of the sprmg may be regulated asdsired and its forward looking movement regulated according to the distance or travel of the jaw 8.

The bracket members 5 are connected and held in fixed relation by tie rods 23 and screw shafts 24, the sets of tie rods and screw shafts being arranged so, that in practice they will extend iorizontally across the front and rear faces of the windshield. The ends of the rod 23 are fitted in and extend through openings 25 in the brackets 5 and are threaded for the reception of circular nuts 26. By the adjustment of these nuts the rods may be'tightened to the desired degrees to hold the bracket members 5 properly assembled. Each nut 26 is provided a with an opening 27 for the passage of a fastening pin 28 adapted to enter any one of a series of openings 29 in the bracket 5, whereby said nut may be locked in adjusted position against any possibility of jarring loose Y from the vibrations of the vehicle when mounted upon and removed from the windshield, and that the described construction of the clamps enables the brackets to be adjusted to different elevations on the wind shield frame for coiiperation with either windshield section, so that the cieaning elements maybe properly disposed for cleaning either windshield section or successively either side of the'win .stood tilgt the gears may drivewtheishafts riages 33 may be movdicither inithe cam neeaen cleaning both windshield sections. The device as a whole may be 'a plied by slidin it from above down upon t e uprights 2.4m 1 removed by a reverse sliding motion, or by disconnecting one of the bracket members 10 5 the device may be a lied for use from ield and fixed in position by reapplying the removed .bracket member and properly adjusting the clamp ingldevices. a 76 ach rod 23 and associated screw shaft 24 supports a. horizontally movable and vertically adjustable cleaner, which cleaner is mounted upon a carriage 33, fitted to slide upon the rod 23 and travel' along the shaft 24.. This carriage consists preferably of a substantially U-shaped body formed of sheet metal or other suitable material, the sides of which'are provided with suitable openings for the passage of the rod 23 and shaft 24h On this carriage are mounted feed dogs 34 having beveled inner end portions to engage the threads of the shaft 24, said dogs operating in the nature of traveling nuts to effect movement of the-carriage 33-90 along the shaft 24 in one directionor the other according to the direction of rotation of said shaft. Each dog34 is. formed with a longitudinal slot-35 receiving headed pins or studs 36 on the sides of the carria e 33,

whereby the dog'is slidably mounte and guided, A stem 37 projects outwardly from each dog and is slidably movable in a guide bracket 38 on the carriage, a coiled spring 39 being arranged to surround the stem-between the dog and uide bracket, whereby, the dog is yieldingy held in engagement with the shaft. It will thus bezunderstood that when either shaft 24 is revolved the carriage 33 actuated thereby wili be caused to move horizontally across the face of'the. windshield section with which it is in alinement, and that by first revolving the shaft in one direction and then in the reverse direction the carriage may be moved back and forth from side to side of the windshield. The means for rotating the screw shaft consists of interme'shing gears 40 upon the respective shafts, whl'ch gears are rovided with crank handles 41 whereby eit er may 11.; be manually revolved to impart motion to the other and thus transmit motion to both shafts 24. By this construction it will-be evident that-the screw shafts may be operated either by the driver from his position in the body of. thevehicle or by a person standin alon side the car at one side of the windshield. t is, of course, to be understood that while I preferably royideaieach"v gear,40 with an 0 rating han 1e 41;this is 1'25 not essential an may be employedatfar greater convenience only. It will be under 24 so t t the .two cleaner supportingfca' at their ends with eyes 48 for, the reception a facing 45 of a cleaning material, prefer-.

ably a strip of rubber, felt or other suitable material adapted for an ctlicient rubbing and cleansing actionon glass. This'strip of material is drawn tightly against the active surface of the cleaner bar and secured at its longitudinal side edges by clamping rods 46 in receiving grooves 47 formed in the side of the bar. These rods extend above the top and bottom of the bar and are formed of connecting bolts 49'fitted with nuts 50, whereby the rods are held in clamping position but may be readily relaxed or released whenever it isdesired to remove the strip l 45 and substitute a new or different one in its place. If desired, one edge of the fabric strip may be formed with a hem or pocket to receive one of the rods, so that after said rod is placed in its position'to secure the hemmed edge the fabric may be drawn tight b means of its free edge and the latter then camped in position by the other'rod. By this means convenience is afforded in enabling stri s of different materials to be used as desired for dry-cleaning, washing or polishing, or a new strip substituted for a --worn one whenever occasion requires.

The bar 44 is provided with a vertical slot -5.1 for passage of the rod 23 and shaft 24,

said slot being of propen length in a verti- 4 cal direction to permit the cleaner to be ad- 45 justed a distance at least equal to the height of one of the windshield sections, without requiring adjustment of the brackets 5. The bar 44 is further provided with a vertical 4 series of transverse openings for the passage of a bolt 53, which also extends through elongated slots 54 in the sides of the carriage 33, the bolt being engageable with any of the openin 52 to hold the bar 44 at the desired elevatlon. The belt is provided at one end with a securing nut 55 and is adapted for movement in the slots 54 to permit said bar to beadjusted toward and from the glass of the windshield, to adaptthe: eater'or less.

cleaning fabric to bear with pressure on the glass. Fort e pur ose of adjusting the bar, and holding it yie dingly engagement with the glass, an adjusting rtw 56 is rovidedg'arr'anged to bear upon a coiled spring 5'2- disposed between the same and the rear, surface of timber 44, 'whereby the spring may be compressed to a greater or less degree to hold the bar yieldingly pressed with thedes'ired force against the glass. Fitted on the screw 56 is a nut or ad ustableabutment '58 hearing against the spring 57, through the adjustments of which tension of the spring may be regulated, thus giving a double adjustment to vary the working pressure of the cleaner a highly sensitive degree.

As stated, the cleaning surface 45 may be of any suitable material for dry cleaning, wash ng orv polishing, and if desired suit able means may be provided upon eachcleaner bar 44 for supplying a cleansing fluid to the fabric 45 or between the same and the surface of the windshield glass. To this end a tank- 59 containing a desiredcleansing fluid may be mounted upon the to) of the bar and provided with a suitable filling inlet 60. A pipe 61 leads. from the bottom of this tank and has itsdischarge end arranged to-deliver the fluid to the fabric or betweenthe same and the surface of 'the glass, and this pipe is provided with a con trolling valve 62. The tank may be of a size to hold a required amount of clea'nsin fluid for one ormore cleansing actions, anj

forms a. convenient means for carrying suiti I eient cleansing fluid for use at any time.

The cleaner is applied to the windshield in an'obvious manner, and, by adjustment of the brackets 5 may be supported at different elevations'upon the uprights 2 to properly dispose the cleaning elementsfor cleaning either the upper 'or the lowerwindslneld glass or successively cleaning- Each cleaner is preferably-I such glasses. made of a restricted length and width, so that. if desired, the device may be perms nently mounted for useupon the windshield 1 without liability of the cleaning device Io'bstructing the vision of the driver of the ve-- iiicle. It will also be understood that'each cleaner is adjustable independently of the brackets 5 upon its carriage 33, and hence may be made of less length than the depth of either windshield glass and adjusted therewith as required in the cleansing of the glasses. The screw shafts 24 maybe operated in unison either from theinterior of the vehicle or from a ition on the ground adjacent to the vehicle by rotating one or the other of the gears 40 through the medium of its crank, and it will be understood that in practice the two cleaners 44 will be operated in unison and may-be caused to move simultaneously in thesame or opposite directions'as desired, according to the direction of the threads upon the screw shafts 24.. Also-by removing one of the gears 40, the screw shaft operated theremay bethrown out of action so thatone b cleaner, only may be 1 operated while the other remains; inactive; v 'In pra'ctice the I in "brackets 5, through the medium of their clamping elements, will firmly and securely fasten the device to the windshield, against any liability of the working parts becoming loose from jars or vibrations inthe running of the vehicle, while said brackets may be readily-and-convenientl adjusted at any timefor positioning the c eaners tooperate upon the glassof either wlndshield section.

In order to prevent marring of the parts of the windshield supporting frame'and .windshield by' pressure of the clamping members 7 and 8, pieces of sheet rubber may be placed .between the contacting surfaces, so as to serve the purpose described, as-well as the, V function of anti-rattling elements;

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction, mode of useand advantages of my improved windshield cleaner will be readily understood without a'further and extended description, and it will be seen that a device of the character, specified is provided which is simple of construction and capable of being installed and used at a comparatively low cost. While the construction disclosed is preferred, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications, falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims, may be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Having thus fully described my invention,

I claim:

as' ets adapted for engagement with the side 1; A" windshield cleaner comprising brackosition, ashaft extending between said rackets, 'a carriage mounted for travel on Said shaft, a cleaning element supported by the carriage for adjustment in a vertical direction and also toward and from the surface of the glass, and means upon the carriage for adjustably and yleldably pressin the cleaning element against the surface 0 the glass.

3. In a windshield cleaner, the conib'ination of brackets adapted for attachment to the side uprights of a windshield frame, a shaft extending between said brackets, means for securing the brackets in position, a carriage mounted for travel on the shaft, a vertically disposed cleaner supported upon the carriage and mounted for vertical adjustment thereon, said cleaner also being "mounted on the'carriage for adjustment toward and from the face .of the glass, and

devices on the carriage for holding the cleaner in itsadjusted positions.

4. In a windshield cleaner, thevcombination of supporting brackets, fixed and movable clamping members carried by the brackets to engage the side elements offthe windshield supporting frame and the windshield, a screw upon each bracket for adjusting'the adjustable clamplng member, a locking member carried by and rotatable .with the screw, -a locking-device upon the .'b racket for engagement with the locking member, a screw shaft. extending between and journaled in the brackets, and a cleanshaft.

- 5. In a windshield cleaner, the combina-' .tion of supporting brackets adaptedfor en;

gagement with the side uprights'of a windshield, clamping means for holding said bracketslin adjusted position, screw shafts extending between and journaled on the brackets,,means for operating said shafts,

carriages mounted to travel upon the shafts,

a cleaner bar mounted on each carriage, said -bar being vertically adjustable on the carriag'e and adjustable toward and from the face of the glass, and said bar also being provided in its side-faces with-grooves, a

ing element mounted for travel on said strip of cleaning fabric extending across the face of the bar and fitted at its edges insaid grooves, {means for securing the fabric in the grooves, and means for. securing each clcanerbar in its adjusted positions.

- In testimony whereof -I aflix my signature.

HERMAN KLATT. 

